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I believe the Nazis actually used "Eliminating animals which you find problematic" as they redefined person to exclude those of Jewish origin. So, again, Kant

I believe the Nazis actually used "Eliminating animals which you find problematic" as they redefined person to exclude those of Jewish origin. So, again, Kant is quite useful in justifying just about anything.

byrneseyeview 19y ago
"So, again, Kant is quite useful in justifying just about anything." I don't see how you could conclude that. Your argument is that if the Nazis believed that they were doing the right thing, they'd believe that Kant would think they were doing the right thing, too. So you're only correct if you take their beliefs at face value, in which case I don't understand why you're complaining.
- gibsonf1 19y ago
  The reason I conclude that is because Kant's theory seems to ultimately rest on someone/something defining what should be done, and therefore, it is completely subjective. If I am incorrect in thinking this, please enlighten me with quotes from Kant proving otherwise.
  - byrneseyeview 19y ago
    "The reason I conclude that is because Kant's theory seems to ultimately rest on someone/something defining what should be done, and therefore, it is completely subjective." Well, yes. That is the idea. Basically, he's trying to suggest that our moral systems be universal -- that we not consider something moral unless it's moral regardless of who does the considering.
    - gibsonf1 19y ago
      This is the crux of the problem with Kant's morality - who is the someone/something setting the standard for what is moral? And how does that someone/something not act in a subjective way when deciding? It really is a scary idea, because it just begs for the "someone" to step forward and tell us all what to do.
      - olavk 19y ago
        > This is the crux of the problem with Kant's morality - who is the someone/something setting the standard for what is moral? You are.
        gibsonf1 19y ago
        Yes, so if I decide that it should be a universal maxim (whatever I want), I'm acting morally according to Kant? And if you want to answer this, please explain each key Kantian concept used, and you may find that you end up ultimately no where.

byrneseyeview 19y ago

"So, again, Kant is quite useful in justifying just about anything." I don't see how you could conclude that. Your argument is that if the Nazis believed that they were doing the right thing, they'd believe that Kant would think they were doing the right thing, too. So you're only correct if you take their beliefs at face value, in which case I don't understand why you're complaining.

gibsonf1 19y ago
The reason I conclude that is because Kant's theory seems to ultimately rest on someone/something defining what should be done, and therefore, it is completely subjective. If I am incorrect in thinking this, please enlighten me with quotes from Kant proving otherwise.
- byrneseyeview 19y ago
  "The reason I conclude that is because Kant's theory seems to ultimately rest on someone/something defining what should be done, and therefore, it is completely subjective." Well, yes. That is the idea. Basically, he's trying to suggest that our moral systems be universal -- that we not consider something moral unless it's moral regardless of who does the considering.
  - gibsonf1 19y ago
    This is the crux of the problem with Kant's morality - who is the someone/something setting the standard for what is moral? And how does that someone/something not act in a subjective way when deciding? It really is a scary idea, because it just begs for the "someone" to step forward and tell us all what to do.
    - olavk 19y ago
      > This is the crux of the problem with Kant's morality - who is the someone/something setting the standard for what is moral? You are.
      - gibsonf1 19y ago
        Yes, so if I decide that it should be a universal maxim (whatever I want), I'm acting morally according to Kant? And if you want to answer this, please explain each key Kantian concept used, and you may find that you end up ultimately no where.